Jersey planning row intensifies as man puts signs on house in protest

Ivor Barette has put protest signs on his house

A man from Jersey has covered his farmhouse in protest banners, after being fined £50,000 for breaching planning rules.

Ivor Barette got approval to build a replacement extension to his property in St Mary, but fell foul of the planners when he removed floorboards and windows from the main building - which is listed for its historic importance.

After being issued with an enforcement notice and failing to put things back to how they were, he was taken to court where he pleaded guilty and was handed down the fine - believed to be one of the largest ever issued in the island.

He's, so far, racked up bills of £70,000 when his court and legal costs are included, and is now in a stalemate with planners as he can't afford to put things back to their original state.

Mr Barette says the windows he removed were rotting, and he only wanted to make the property better insulated and habitable.

Since posting pictures of his protest banners online 48 hours ago, hundreds of people have shared his story and added comments to his Facebook page.

The planning department say it's important people follow the rules, which are there for a reason.

In the official historic listed building directory, Broughton Lodge Farm is described as a "good example of 18th century farmhouse with later dower wing, with unusual floor plan, and courtyard of early 19th century outbuildings.